Gaelic Games: Longfords leap year

The destruction of Derry reflected a new spirit of resolve in a county set on making the good times last. By Michael Foley

Last weekend Derry travelled to Longford, rippling with strength and superiority. A win would have completed what should have been the rudimentary task of returning to Division One. In a weekend programme of unusual unpredictability, this was one game on whose outcome you could bank. Right? To insure against acts of God, Derry picked a team similar to the one they will trust to face Tyrone in the Ulster championship next month. Last summer they met Longford in the qualifiers, toughed out the first half and went in trailing, but powered on to win well. They knew Longford would be gritty and game this year too, but they also felt sure of success.

Just a couple of thousand people turned up at Ballymahon, but by switching the game from the more polished surrounds of Pearse Park, Longford tripled the noise and tilted the odds a little in their favour.